Field Medical Training Battalion - West (FMTB-W) Block 2 Practice Exam

What is used to prime burn barrel latrines?

Prime drums with diesel Prime drums with gasoline Prime drums with kerosene Prime drums with water

Correct Answer:

Prime drums with diesel

Explanation:

Priming a burn barrel latrine relies on using a fuel that can ignite reliably without creating dangerous explosions or rapid flare-ups in a confined drum. Diesel is the best choice because it has a higher flash point and lower volatility than gasoline or kerosene, which makes ignition safer and easier to control in field conditions. Gasoline is highly volatile and can flash back with a small heat source, posing a serious risk in a burn barrel. Kerosene is more volatile than diesel too, so it carries more danger than diesel despite being usable as a primer. Water won’t ignite at all, so it’s not a primer. In practice, a small amount of diesel is used to start the fire, then waste is added to maintain the burn.

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